What is KiwiBuild - and What do we Know so far?

NZCB NEWS —

Grant FlorenceChief Executive

What is KiwiBuild – and What do we Know so far?

Most builders will be aware that KiwiBuild is the flagship for the Government’s initiative to build 100,000 new homes over 10 years. This was discussed by the Government in 2017 when they were the opposition party and many would recall this was mentioned by the then Leader of the Opposition (Hon. Andrew Little) at NZCB’s 2017 Conference in Auckland.

We have been involved with both the Government and the KiwiBuild executives on what, how and when – and want to give you an overview of this.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Minister Twyford has announced that his targets for KiwiBuild homes over the next few years is:

• By end of June 2019: 1,000

• By end of June 2020: 5,000

• By end of June 2021: 10,000

It is the forecast by the Minister that the building of these houses will be mainly through one of four channels:

• Undertaking major development projects with private sector, councils etc – this will be guided by the Urban Development Authority that is to be formed through an act of Parliament in 2018/2019.

• Purchasing or underwriting the sales of new affordable houses off the plans, from the private sector, on suitable developments leading to the sale/construction of KiwiBuild homes.

• Buying and converting existing land owned by the Crown and additional land from the private market and then on sold to development partners who commit to building KiwiBuild houses.

• Through existing Government-led housing initiatives such as Housing New Zealand, Hobsonville Land Company etc.

To qualify as a KiwiBuild home the following sales caps have been set:

• Auckland and Queenstown: $650,000

• All other parts of New Zealand: $500,000

KiwiBuild have proposed that the number of KiwiBuild homes built across the country will be:

Whangarei 1,967

Auckland 61,339

New Plymouth District 1,305

Palmerston North City 1,509

Hamilton 8,232

Wellington 12,975

Tauranga 2,053

Rotorua District 1,411

Gisborne District 1,010

Napier – Hastings 2,476

Nelson – Tasman 1,644

Christchurch 1,000

Queenstown – Lakes District 2,229

Dunedin City 850

To date KiwiBuild have not dictated any preferred design styles or layouts for these houses. The criteria for those who wish to purchase a KiwiBuild house have been published and are focused on those folks who are buying their first home.

As an association, we will continue to monitor the development of KiwiBuild and consider ways that the Association can be involved with the KiwiBuild initiative.

If you are interested in being involved with KiwiBuild or have a view on what the role of NZCB is in KiwiBuild – please drop me a line grant@nzcb.nz. I would be delighted to hear from you.

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